Filipino Broadway star Lea Salonga is among other individuals who have received the Time Magazine’s TIME100 Impact Awards for 2022.

The TIME100 Impact Awards recognizes individuals, scientists, artists, activists, politicians, and CEO’s, who have impacted the world as it moves forward. This acknowledges people who have done exceptional achievements in their respective industries.

Aside from being the singing voices of “Princess Jasmine” and “Mulan,” Salonga was known for her award-winning first-ever international stage in Miss Saigon, where she played as Kim, the Vietnamise prostitute who fell in love with the American soldier.

Salonga was also the first Asian to play Eponine in the famous musical, “Les Miserables.” Recently, Salonga has also starred in the musical-drama “Yellow Rose” and the animated series “Centaurworld”. In 2006, she also returned to the show, but this time as Fantine.

In 2018, Salonga went back on stage with “Once on This Island” as Erzulie, the Goddess of Love. This Broadway show received positive feedback and earned Best Revival Of A Musical. The show also earned a Grammy nomination for Best Musical Theater Album.

Aside from being known for her exemplifying singing skills, Salonga also made efforts to extend her helping hand to the individuals who were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through her song “Dream Again“, she was able to provide help to the charities that provide assistance to those affected by the pandemic with the profits collected from the song.

As TIME stated, “Lea Salonga has emerged as not only a Disney and Broadway icon, but a role model for children of color.” Looking back to her first professional theatrical performance in “The Kind and I” when she was 7 years old, Salonga undeniably has come a long way—from the Philippines to the world.

Photo Credit: https://www.instagram.com/p/CfYwsgusXOg/

Source: https://time.com/collection/time100-impact-awards/, https://leasalonga.com/bio